PNS Zulfiqar fitted with state-of-art weaponry, sensors, with a Z9EC helicopter is first F-22P frigate constructed for Pakistan Navy at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai and formally handed over to Pakistan on July 30.

Pak Navy spokesman Salman Ali told media that PN Zulfiqar took part in the exercises with other naval ships of Pakistan.

The frigate constructed in collaboration with China is armed with sea to sea and air defense missiles.

Pakistan entered into agreement with China for at least four Frigates, of them, three would be constructed in China and one would be readied in Pakistan.

This is the flag of Islam, for you cannot separate the Muslim league from Islam. Many people misunderstand us when we talk of Islam, particularly our Hindu friends. When we say this flag is the flag of Islam, they think that we are introducing religion into politics, A FACT OF WHICH WE ARE PROUD. Islam gives us a complete code. It is not only a religion, but it contains laws, philosophy and politics. It contains everything that matters to a man from morning to night. When we talk of Islam, we take it as an all embracing word.

- Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (11th January 1938)

Let us go back to our holy book, the Quran. Let us revert to the Hadeeth and the the great traditions of Islam which have everything in them for our guidance if we correctly interpret them and follow our great Holy book, the Quran.

- Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (6th March 1946)

"It is my strong belief, that there is no ideology which is more democratic, enlightened and progressive than Islam."

F-22P Frigate arrives from China: talks on with Germany, US for subs and frigatesISMAIL DILAWARKARACHI (September 13 2009): Pakistan is likely to sign a multi-million-dollar deal with Germany and other countries, most probably the US, for the acquisition of at least four submarines and the same number of multipurpose ships by the end of 2010, as the first F-22P Frigate of Pakistan Navy (PN) "PNS Zulfiquar" arrived at Karachi Harbour here Saturday, from China under the management of transfer of technology.

According to sources, PN was negotiating with Germany the acquisition of three to four "Type 214" submarines, besides searching the international markets in US, UK or any other country, that offer an economical price for "some multi-purpose ships", frigates or destroyers, by the end of next year to upgrade its defence fleet.

"Negotiations are on with Germany, while a deal for some multipurpose ships is also expected by the end of next year with the US, UK or any other country which comes up with an attractive offer," they added.

Moreover, a spokesman of PN told Business Recorder that China had transferred the manufacturing technology of F-22P Frigate to its all-weather friend, Pakistan, as the vessel, "PNS Zulfiquar ", arrived in Pakistan amid an ongoing naval exercise in the Arabian Sea.

"The Frigate came from China under the management of transfer of technology," said Commodore Salman Ali while talking to Business Recorder. He said with a "keel laying" or "steel cutting" ceremony for building the Sword Class "4th F22P Frigate" at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) in March 2009, Pakistan had started using the Chinese technology.

They said the "war time" role of the frigate would include long range surface to surface strikes, an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) stand off capability, air defence and interdiction of hostile targets. During the peacetime the vessel would guard the country's exclusive economic zone, combat the power projects in the area of interest, contribute to international security through UN peacekeeping operations and take part in search and rescue and flag showing/maritime diplomacy, they said.

According to sources F22P Frigate would be equipped with a main 76mm gun, C-802 SSM, FM-90 SAM, TCU 42A type Torpedo Tubes, Close-in-Weapon System (CIWS), depth charges, sensors, like surface, air and navigational radars and trackers, RDC-32 type rockets and electronic support and counter measures (ESM/ECM) systems.

According to Commodore Salman the frigate under construction at KSEW and which would be ready by 2013 was "identical" to that of the PNS Zulfiquar and two others being built at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai in terms of technological and defence features.

Meanwhile, an ISPR (Navy) statement said the F-22P Frigate was welcomed by the PN surface and aviation units busy in war-games in the Arabian Sea. PNS Zulfiquar, the first of the series of four ships being constructed in collaboration with China, also participated in its very first naval exercise which was witnessed by Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Asif Sandila, it added.

The second and the third ship are also nearing completion and expected to be handed over to Pakistan in the first and third quarter of 2010. F-22P frigate, a Sword Class Ship equipped with long range surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, has a displacement of 3,000 tonnes and carries Anti Submarine Z9EC helicopters. The first batch of two helicopters has already arrived in Pakistan. Formal induction ceremony of the ship in PN Fleet would be held in the third week of this month, the statement said.

Just heard an ex Indian Naval commander on the news commenting on the arrival of the F-22 ,He wasn't shy in disclosing by saying, "First we were facing the threat of the "Big Dragon", now we have to worry about the "Small Dragon" too.

You are a free soul, I am so happy,because in your freedom, you chose me as your friend.

Just heard an ex Indian Naval commander on the news commenting on the arrival of the F-22 ,He wasn't shy in disclosing by saying, "First we were facing the threat of the "Big Dragon", now we have to worry about the "Small Dragon" too.

Don't Indian gods have a number of arms each? They sure can handle these dragons.

This is great news, i thought Pakistan has already got this ship as few months back their was a ceremony, great news anyway.wanted to ask a question, i know this ship wont really be used as a offensive weapon againt india as its a small ship with alot less range than new indian ships but how effective will these ships be in defence of karachi ports and gwadar.

F-22P is not pivotal for PN because of its weapon systems or semi modern sensors. The main thing is that they now have a new platform to upgrade and use over the years. Give it sometime and it will mature.

I have seen F-22 Frigate in pictures, it is a good one for Pakistan defense. As Pakistan bought F-21 type ships from UK in 1992, i think it is a best one which we have taken from China. The technology used on this ship is modern and can face and beat any challenge.

Chinese technology is nice and reliable. Modern sonars and weapons are fitted on this ship.

F-22P is not pivotal for PN because of its weapon systems or semi modern sensors. The main thing is that they now have a new platform to upgrade and use over the years. Give it sometime and it will mature.

At the moment its our most capable surface ship. Its the only ship with BOTH anti-ship missiles AND a SAM! lol!

I'd say that makes it very pivotal. The only things we have that are more important are submarines.

What about the Nakhoda class corvettes which we were to get from Brunei? Is that option still being considered?

This is the flag of Islam, for you cannot separate the Muslim league from Islam. Many people misunderstand us when we talk of Islam, particularly our Hindu friends. When we say this flag is the flag of Islam, they think that we are introducing religion into politics, A FACT OF WHICH WE ARE PROUD. Islam gives us a complete code. It is not only a religion, but it contains laws, philosophy and politics. It contains everything that matters to a man from morning to night. When we talk of Islam, we take it as an all embracing word.

- Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (11th January 1938)

Let us go back to our holy book, the Quran. Let us revert to the Hadeeth and the the great traditions of Islam which have everything in them for our guidance if we correctly interpret them and follow our great Holy book, the Quran.

- Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (6th March 1946)

"It is my strong belief, that there is no ideology which is more democratic, enlightened and progressive than Islam."

Silk worm is a good missile proven its worth over decades, will it be a challenge for Bara 1 & Barak 8 .....

On the contrary, am keen to know what you will be using against an on-slought by your neighbour with Club-S & Bramos-N. This question i a big issue for Naval planners the Core reason being Silkworm is subsonic missile gives time to reasct but reaction time is far lesses when responded with Bramos -Naval and Club. Like to see some Answers based on Rational, else please dont answer!!

Does your ship have "Stealth Features"?Thankfully you did not say Stealth. Nothing is stealth. You can incorporate some stealthy features. The project was initiated in 90s. China did not have such ships at that time. However, the original Jiangwei design has been improved as you can see the difference.

Pakistanis are working on their own naval submarine launched variant of the Land attack cruise missile Babur( 700 km (Tested) , 1000 Km range version under development).http://upload.wikime..._Ideas_2008.JPG

Pakistan Navy is moving away from adding second hand ships to brand new - Good news indeed. Seeing answers, I recon this ship is a Light Frigate. Another question which I have been holding back is "What about Aerial Surveillance & Air Cover for F22? To be effective in Battle a Modern Naval Flotilla Needs Air Cover in addition to its Air Defense assets, it also needs Jets providing CAP over the High Sea`s conducting Seek and Destroy missions as well.(Remember the Falkland Blunder for Argentineanís. English used Harriers to demolish the Argentinean Airforce which out numbered them 1:7 (taking a conservative ratio)) and providing a massive support to English flotilla. In todays scenarios where a Military Satellite can highlight any Boogie an Effective Navy should have or develop a Strong Air Arm to protect as well. Does your ? I think itís a question for Planners to address not commonersÖ

Cant help but reiterate that of all the "FRIENDS" of Pakistan, China comes out in flying colors, how many times do we need to TEST our Chinese friends, we have seen our US FRIENDS who are as good as India and Israel, with the help and aid of such insiders like Shaukat Azziz, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Rehman Malik, who as part of Zardari Enterprise are selling any thing and every thing to these Friends of ours, Black water assasins breathing down our necks in our cities, spereading like Yajooj Mjooj, that one wonders if there would be any space left in a short period where we would have room left to dock our F-22 or may be we would be seeking permission from some cover Singaporean company ( who already are operating the Gowadar D S P), untill the nation rids itself of the present regeim, the danger looms !

^^ Close-In Intercept Weapons Systems are specifically designed to nullify out of range air-launched anti-ship missiles. Perhaps China and Pakistan would be looking into perfecting this particular weapon system that would allow its ships to fortify its frigate/destroyer shield.

........ when the first drop of a Munafiq's blood drops in the Kaa'bah ........

........ the Black Flags Army shall rise from Khurasan and commence its earth rumbling march toward Damishque. Any force that tries to come in its path, shall be destroyed with ruthless destruction. Awaiting, upon reaching Damishque, the safron and beads of pearls and the Black Turban that shall lead the Salah of Fajr .........

........ the stones and trees of Lud shall cry out to the Black Flags and tell them of the Munafiqs, Yahuds and Kuffar that are hiding behind them, to come and kill them. That day shall be the day of reckoning, the day of justice, the day when no power shall hold and unfair advantage. The battle shall be fought and won by way of faith ........

In my historical oracle
I blast metaphorical
editorials educated
in my territorial
get torn
heavily armed with seventy bombs
that'll blast divine like the heavenly song
Your men'll be gone
if they explore my deepest thoughts
I beat hearts in two then ask demons for chalk

CIWS is the only credible defense against Supersonic Anti Ship missiles. Even with a quick reaction SAM if one does come up there is always a chance of missing the incoming missile and those few seconds could make the difference between a successful interception and a sunk ship.

In my historical oracle
I blast metaphorical
editorials educated
in my territorial
get torn
heavily armed with seventy bombs
that'll blast divine like the heavenly song
Your men'll be gone
if they explore my deepest thoughts
I beat hearts in two then ask demons for chalk